Abstract: A silica based glass waveguide having almost the same optical characteristics as designed value and an optical module using a silica based glass waveguide having excellent optical characteristics and reduced connecting loss are provided. A silica based glass waveguide is comprising a core waveguide and a clad, a core waveguide is formed rectangular in cross section and of SiO2-TiO2 group glass on a synthetic silica glass substrate, and a clad is formed of SiO2-B2O3-P2O5 group glass or etc. on a synthetic silica glass substrate and a core waveguide. A synthetic silica glass substrate is formed of pure SiO2 and having birefringence quantity less than 10 nm/cm.

Abstract: A fast silicon-on-insulator (SOI) waveguide-based optical device enhanced with minority charge carrier lifetime modifiers enables faster modulation speeds in optical attenuators, optical intensity/phase-modulators, and optical switches whose operation principles are based on free-carrier injection into a waveguide. The waveguide is doped with gold (Au) or platinum (Pt) such that when a drive voltage (applied to the device) is turned off, the minority charge carriers rapidly annihilate because gold doping reduces the minority carrier lifetime, which improves transient characteristics of the optical device. Integration of the fast active device with passive devices such as WDM demultiplexers/multiplexers on the SOI optical waveguide platform enables realization of monolithic integrated optical components for advanced functionality such as dynamic spectral equalization.

Abstract: A composite including a plurality of semiconductor nanocrystals distributed in a metal oxide matrix can be used as an optical amplifier, a waveguide or a laser.

Abstract: A method is provided for attaching one or more optical fibers to a retaining device. The method includes: applying a fluid to a through hole in a retaining device; disposing an optical fiber proximate an end of the through hole; developing a differential pressure in the fluid across the through hole; drawing a portion of the optical fiber into the through hole using a force associated with said differential pressure.

Abstract: An optical fiber module of the invention is an optical fiber module easily fabricated and excellent in the characteristics of enduring high intensity light, for example. The connection end face of an optical fiber array as an optical component is faced to the connection end face of a planar lightwave circuit component. An optical fiber array is also disposed on the connection end face of the planar lightwave circuit component opposite to the optical fiber array. The corresponding connection end faces are connected to each other with an adhesive. A no adhesive filled part where the adhesive is not applied in the light transmitting area is disposed in at least one of bonding parts thereof.

Abstract: A variable attenuation device for optical signal transmission has first and second ferrules or plugs having abutting end faces, one of the ferrules being rotatable with respect to the other while axial alignment therebetween is maintained. Each ferrule or plug has an axial bore aligned with the other and contains the end of an optical fiber, with a fiber having a smaller diameter than the diameter of the bore in which it is contained so that the fibers may have decreased engagement with each other when there is relative rotation of the ferrules although the ferrule bores remain aligned.

Abstract: The fiber optics signal transfer method employs a single composite drum system and a shaft. Power is delivered to the shaft for rotating the composite drum to the desired pay out speeds. Optical fiber is wound around the single composite drum as it is peeled from a bobbin located several feet away. The shaft, which drives the composite drum, is provided with a hole that is machined in the center of the shaft to approximately ½ of the shaft length. A fiber optic guide tube directs the fiber optic to the center of the shaft and out the exit end of the shaft. At the exit end of the shaft the signal exits the fiber, travels a distance in the air, and the signal through the fiber is subsequently picked up by a stationary photodiode detector. The method includes directing the optical fiber through a winding tension controller, which maintains the tension in the fiber. This winding tension controller controls tension of the fiber through a set of three pulleys, a lower pulley, and two upper pulleys.

Abstract: A method for fabricating flexible optical fiber circuits, including routing optical fiber on a flexible substrate according to a predetermined pattern using an optical fiber routing head, wherein routing the optical fiber includes routing at least one non-disposable optical fiber portion and least one disposable test pattern. A cutting head is aligned to cut adjacent at least one segment of the non-disposable optical fiber portion based upon the accuracy with which the cutting head cuts adjacent to the test pattern. Using the test patterns avoids alignment errors that may otherwise occur during the cutting of the optical fiber circuit which can result in a total loss of the optical fiber substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of recording still pictures onto a recording medium. The present method records still pictures onto a recording medium in a DCF (Design rule for Camera File system) structure defined for a digital still camera or in a file structure defined for a digital video recorder, creates management information to access the recorded still pictures, and writes the management information in management information fields specified in a digital video recorder. Referring to the management information, a desired still picture or desired still pictures can be found easily and rapidly among numerous still pictures recorded on a recording medium.

Abstract: A computer program of exercise recording system of recording user's body exercise performs, in the exercise recording system, an exercise contents setting step of setting exercise contents for a plurality of body exercising parts, an exercise contents displaying step of displaying exercise contents images having a plurality of display areas corresponding to the plurality of exercising parts.

Abstract: A CPU receives an instruction to execute an operation, issued by a remote controller via a signal receiving unit, and also receives an instruction to execute an operation, issued by a computer via a network interface. When exclusive control is executed between the remote controller and the computer, if the operation instructed by the remote controller is rejected, a message that an operation instructed by any other user is being executed is displayed on a display unit, thereby informing a user of the remote controller of the fact. On the other hand, if the operation instructed by the computer is rejected, data for informing a user of the computer that an operation instructed by any other user is being executed is transmitted to the computer via the network interface.

Abstract: A computer is directed to select one or more folders containing an image file on at least one of the lower hierarchical levels, and record an image file contained in and below the selected folders on a CD-R when a storing process is specified, and generates a CD album. The album generation program sequentially searches folders having an image file immediately below the folders when the image file is recorded on the CD-R, generates a new folder for the folder having an image file immediately below the folder, and copies a target image file as a new image file in the new folder, thereby giving a folder name and a file name automatically generated according to DCF rule to the stored new folder and new image file.

Abstract: A reproduction description system for the purpose of controlling reproduction of plural multimedia data, for reproduction description data directly or indirectly designating reproduction time of each data. In this system, a processed data object generated by applying a set effect to a part of data object corresponding to reproduction target multimedia data, with processed data identification information indicating an attribute for discrimination of processed data, is added to the reproduction description data. Further, first and second data objects are generated from the data object and added to the reproduction description data. Then, reproduction time designation of the first and second data objects in the reproduction description data is changed so as to obtain the same reproduction image as that in a case where the set effect is applied to the data object.

Abstract: A video system for reproducing, recording and editing moving images, an abnormality state of the video system or images is automatically detected from the reproduced images, the reproduced images detected as in the abnormality state is recorded as a still image which is displayed on a display screen.

Abstract: In a signal record/playback apparatus and its method which performs the recording for recording a signal on the recording medium DISK and the playback for playing back the recorded signal from the recording medium DISK at the same time, the recording position and the playback position are set independently and arbitrarily. Record starting position information PREC on the recording medium DISK for starting the recording is stored, playback starting position information PPB on the recording medium DISK for starting the playback is stored, and the recording based on the record starting position information PREC and the playback based on the playback starting position information PPB are independently performed, so as to realize a signal record/playback apparatus and its method which can set the record starting position PREC and the playback starting position PPB arbitrarily.

Abstract: Screen (10) for a user interface of a television schedule system and process consists of an array (24) of irregular cells (26), which vary in length, corresponding to different television program lengths of one half hour to one-and-one half hours or more. The array is arranged as three columns (28) of one-half hour in duration, and twelve rows (30) of program listings. Some of the program listings overlap two or more of the columns (28) because of their length. Because of the widely varying length of the cells (26), if a conventional cursor used to select a cell location were to simply step from one cell to another, the result would be abrupt changes in the screen (10) as the cursor moved from a cell (26) of several hours length to an adjacent cell in the same row. An effective way of taming the motion is to assume that behind every array (24) is an underlying array of regular cells.

Abstract: A broadcast recording method and a device are provided which can record an extended TV program or a TV program which is moved back due to the extended previous TV program. The method and the device obtain broadcast information including a start time and an end time of a program, and start times and end times of commercial broadcast parts and news broadcast parts, via a network or the like. And the method and the device edits recorded digital broadcast data based on the broadcast information and records the edited broadcast data. The broadcast information may include an identifier representing whether the commercial broadcast parts and the news broadcast parts are to be deleted or not, and information representing a location where these broadcast parts are moved to. These broadcast parts are deleted or moved based on the broadcast information.

Abstract: The present invention teaches anti-copy protection and control of an underlying anti-copy protection mechanism through anti-copy protection codes inserted into a video program. The anti-copy protection code may be inserted into closed caption (CC) bandwidth. The anti-copy protection codes of the present invention are suitable for use with analog and digital video programs. The present invention contemplates anti-copy protection mechanisms having multiple levels of anti-copy protection. These multiple levels of anti-copy protection may include varying levels of degradation of subsequent copies as well as absolute prohibition of subsequent copying.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus has three reproducing modes that are a first mode, a second mode, and a third mode. In the first mode, when a program that has been reproduction restricted is tried to be reproduced, the reproducing operation is paused and the user is asked whether he or she wants to reproduce the program. Corresponding to the user's reply, the reproducing operation is performed or prohibited. In the second mode, a program that has been reproduction restricted is prohibited from being reproduced. In the third mode, a program that has been reproduction restricted is unconditionally reproduced. When the power of the apparatus is turned on at step S31, a prompt that causes the user to select one of the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode is displayed. At step S33, a process for designating a mode is performed. Information of the designated mode is stored in a nonvolatile memory.

Abstract: An optical recording medium includes a start position of a caption and a marking at specific areas of contents. An apparatus and a method of playing the optical recording medium includes displaying a normal caption by moving an optical head of the apparatus to the start position of an effective caption and decoding from the start position while playing the contents. That is, the method of playing the optical recording medium includes analyzing a stream read out from the optical recording medium and detecting whether an identification code and information about the start position of the caption is recorded on a preliminary area of the stream, transferring to the start position of the caption recorded on the preliminary area by using the result of the detecting, and performing a signal process operation from the start position, so as to display the caption on a corresponding image of the optical recording medium being played back.

Abstract: An information storage medium according to an embodiment of this invention has a management area for recording management information, and a data area for recording program contents data. The program contents data recorded in the data area contains a plurality of object data, each object data contains a plurality of data units, each data unit contains a plurality of packets, and the management information recorded in the management area contains program stream information of the program contents data.

Abstract: A motor control system 10 includes an engine cooling module 14 including a DC motor 12. The system includes a switch 18 constructed and arranged to be controlled by a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal 26. The switch 18 is operatively associated with the DC motor to control current to the DC motor and thus control the speed of the DC motor. A controller 20 is operatively associated with the switch. The controller is constructed and arranged to select periods, of a limited-pool of frequencies each being less than 500 Hz, from a pseudo-random sequence of periods and to send the selected periods to the switch, thereby controlling noise and vibration of the module.

Abstract: An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a desited temperature. A heating rate for a selected volume of the formation may be controlled by altering an amount of heating energy per day that is provided to the selected volume.

Abstract: A steam-cleaning appliance of the invention comprises a housing in which a water storage chamber, a pump, and a steam device are mounted. The pump pumps cold water from the water storage chamber and delivers cold water to the steam device. The steam device includes a water-flowing path and a heating unit that heats water flowing through the water-flowing path. Cold water pumped by the pump penetrates into the water-flowing path via a water inlet to be heated. The increasingly heated water is sputtered into steam through a steam pipe to a nozzle of the steam-cleaning appliance.

Abstract: A heated fluid dispensing system including a heated dispenser and a docking element. The heated dispenser includes a housing with a docking interface, a channel heat exchanger disposed in the housing and an electrical heater associated with the channel heat exchanger. The channel heat exchanger has a channel in fluid communication with a valve on an aerosol can. The docking element includes a flange and a housing interface, the flange attachable to a cap ring on an aerosol can, the housing interface is both releasably attachable to and actuatable with the docking interface.

Abstract: An antifreeze heating system which prevents the freezing of water present in an instant water heater of the type having a primary heater which remains inactive under static flow conditions. A secondary heater is placed within an enclosed housing volume of the instant water heater, and electrically connected to a temperature-sensitive switch which activates the secondary heater when a monitored temperature, such as the ambient temperature, falls below a threshold value.

Abstract: A heating element for heating liquids, comprising a heating coil coiled about a central axis. The coil has a first end and a second end lying in a plane substantially parallel to the central axis. The coil is covered with insulation which is covered with a protective sheath. The protective sheath is covered with an aluminum housing provided with a central aperture to increase the surface area of the heating element in contact with the liquid to improve start-up time. The aluminum housing is also provided with an aperture to receive a thermostat. A pressure die having a first portion and a second portion is adapted to receive a spacer between the first and second portions to vary the distance between the first and second portion and allow for the manufacture of heating elements of varying diameters.

Abstract: A distance measuring device, or a focus detector, including a plurality of sensors provided in association with a plurality of different areas, and a respective plurality of processing circuits provided in association with the plurality of sensors, to process signals output from the plurality of sensors, where power selectively is supplied only to a sensor(s) and a processing circuit(s) associated with the sensor(s) that correspond to a predetermined area from among the plurality of different areas. The predetermined area may be determined on the basis of the state of a power source (e.g., detected voltage level), the focal length of a shooting optical system, the state of an auxiliary light for irradiating an object, and the like.

Abstract: In a camera system according to the invention, a camera body and an interchangeable lens have respective identification data tables that are congruous with each other. As an appropriate data address is indicated to the interchangeable lens by the camera body, an identification data that is stored in the identification data storage section and corresponds to the indicated address is transmitted from the interchangeable lens to the camera body. The identification data judging section of the camera body compares the identification data transmitted back from the interchangeable lens and the identification data that is stored in the identification data storage section and corresponds to the address. As a result, it is determined if the dedicated accessory device is mounted on the camera body or not.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus including an image capture optical system; a rotary device rotate from an initial position in a first direction and rotatable from the initial position in a second direction; a protective cover that performs an opening action to expose (uncover) the image capture optical system in response to rotation of the rotary device from the initial position in the first direction, and that performs a closing action to cover the image capture optical system in response to rotation of the rotary device from the initial position in the second direction; and an energizing member that returns the rotary device to the initial position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning an optical element in an optical sub-assembly is provided. Pivoting fine tuning plates connected to the main body of the sub-assembly are used to set the height and angle of the optical element. The optical element is connected on a pin through the optical element frame between two portions of the main body. Pivoting the fine tuning plate with a cam causes the optical element pin to cant, adjusting the position and/or angle of the optical element. In one embodiment of the present invention, a laser may be used to better align the optical element.

Abstract: A turntable device principally includes a horizontal rotation base and an up-and-down swinging mechanism, which are driven by VCMs. An optical apparatus is placed on supports, which are arranged on the horizontal rotation base, with a horizontal rotation shaft therebetween. The optical apparatus is directed up-and-down and right-and-left by movable pieces connected to movable coils of the VCMs, so as to constitute the turntable device. The optical apparatus is placed on the turntable.

Abstract: A barrier mechanism of a camera is disclosed, which comprises a camera body, a barrier member being movable between a closed position covering a lens located in the front of the camera body and an open position exposing the lens, a holding mechanism for holding the barrier member slidably between the closed position and the open position, a guide rail member disposed in the camera body and extending in a sliding direction of the barrier member for guiding the barrier member, and an engaging member disposed in the barrier member to be brought into engagement with the guide rail member so as to suppress the barrier backlash.

Abstract: One embodiment is a system for the development of a film includes an infrared light source and a visible light source. The system also includes at least one sensor operable to collect a first set of optical data from light associated the infrared light source and a second set of optical data from light associated with the visible light source. The system further includes a processor in communication with the at least one sensor, the processor operable to determine an image on the film in response to the first and second sets of optical data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to supervisory signalling for optical communications equipment. More particularly, it relates to a method and apparatus for supervisory signalling relating to submarine optical communications equipment on a submarine optical communications system.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for interrogating an optical signal (not shown) propagating in an optical waveguide, such as an optical fibre, having an input section (12) and a second section (14) through which light entering from the input section (12) will subsequently propagate. The second section (14) includes a grating portion, such as a tilted chirped fibre Bragg grating (16). The grating (16) causes at least part of the optical signal to be coupled out of the optical fibre, through the fibre cladding. A photodetector (18) is provided generally alongside the grating (16). The photodetector (18) is arranged to collect and detect substantially all of the outcoupled optical signal. The relationship between the optical power outcoupled by the grating (16) and the wavelength of the optical signal is known, allowing a measurement of the outcoupled optical power to be used to determine the wavelength of the optical signal propagating through the grating (16).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wavelength-division multiplexed passive optical network. In particular, it relates to a technology for minimizing the optical loss at a wavelength-division multiplexed passive optical network based on wavelength-locked light source Thereby it improves the transmission quality and increases the transmission distance.

Abstract: Data is transferred in a normal mode or a compressed mode. In the normal mode, a nominal ratio(Aj) is calculated on the basis of signalled reference amplification factors (&bgr;c,ref &bgr;d,ref) whereupon amplification factors (&bgr;c,j, &bgr;d,j) are determined by approximation with respect to said ratio. In the compressed mode, a corrected nominal ratio(AC,j) is calculated on the basis of the nominal ratio (Aj) and amplification factors (&bgr;c,C,j, &bgr;d,C,j) are determined by approximaion with respect to said nominal ratio.

Abstract: An optical communication network is provided for reducing a required number of transmitters and receivers. A management device gives the amount of traffic passing through optical cross-connect devices along a route as an evaluation value for the route (step S6), and selects the route which has the largest evaluation value (step S7). The management device determines whether or not the evaluation value given to the selected candidate route is larger than a predefined reference value (step S8). When larger than the reference value, the management device outputs the route as an optical transmission path which includes at least one or more optical add-drop multiplexers (step S9).

Abstract: An optical apparatus comprises a phase grating, an input-ring array, an output-ring array and an optical interconnect. The phase grating produces a modulated light beam for each of a plurality of processing elements. The modulated light beams have a plurality of light wavelengths. An input-ring array receives the plurality of data modulated light beams. An output-ring array outputs a light beam to each processing element. An optical interconnect transfers light from the input-ring array to the output ring array and uniquely rotates each wavelength of the transferred light.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an appliance control panel and a controller. The appliance control panel is disposed on an appliance. The appliance control panel has first and second optical communication devices that are in communication with an external surface of the appliance control panel. The controller is secured within the appliance. The controller is operably connected to the first and second communication devices to provide communication signals thereto, the communication signals including diagnostic information.

Abstract: The system for browsing objects in reality that enables a user to obtain information via a wireless browser-enabled device. The browser-enabled device includes a modulated laser that is directed toward target sensors located on or near objects for which information is sought by a user. The target sensors, in turn, relay information as well as information received from the modulated laser via Internet to a wireless network that serves the browser-enabled device of the user. Information concerning the object of interest is then relayed to the browser-enabled device allowing the user to view information concerning the object.

Abstract: In an optical receiver circuit chip, which constitutes an optical fiber link and converts a received optical signal into an electrical signal for communication, shutdown function is added to a bias circuit, which supplies power to an internal circuit such as a photodiode, amplifiers, a comparator and a buffer. Furthermore, a shutdown control circuit is provided in order to cause the bias circuit to perform a shutdown control in response to whether or not a plug for a transmission medium such as an optical fiber is inserted to a corresponding jack and in response to an shutdown signal inputted to a shutdown input terminal in accordance with user's operation. Therefore, the shutdown control can be realized with lower cost and smaller substrate space compared with a case where a regulator IC is separately used.

Abstract: Using a system of computer modules operatively associated with a document processing machine, banding defect analysis is accomplished by analyzing specific test patterns via image processing. The banding defects are characterized in terms of quantitative parameters based on an analysis of the banding defect. Key features are extracted from the banding defect parameters. The key features are analyzed in a diagnostic engine, to determine the possible source of the defect. The identified source is correlated to a recommended repair service procedure. The diagnostic process may be augmented by also including machine data in the analysis.

Abstract: A development station has a developer flow monitoring system for an image-forming machine. The developer flow monitoring system senses the material flow of a developer in the development station.

Abstract: In a printer with an electrically chargeable image drum, such as a laser or a LED printer, for imprinting a medium by transferring toner to the medium, including, arranged around the image drum, a charging unit, a writing unit and a toner unit, the toner unit is disposed at a predetermined angular distance from the charging unit and a sensor is disposed at essentially the same angular distance from the charging unit to determine the charge of the image unit at the toner location for adjusting the voltage of at least one of the charging unit and the toner unit depending on the charge voltage of the image drum as determined by the sensor.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an electrostatic latent image forming unit for forming an electrostatic latent image on a surface of an image carrier, a developing unit for developing the electrostatic latent image with toner, a transferring unit for transferring a toner image on the image carrier onto a transfer medium in a transfer area, a test pattern forming unit for forming a test pattern, which is made of toner and used for image control, on the transfer medium, and a control unit for detecting the test pattern and executing image control. The transferring unit transfers the test pattern on the transfer medium, which has been subjected to detection, onto the image carrier, and the developing unit recovers the test pattern having been transferred onto the image carrier.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus can reduce a system return time by reducing a time required for initialization of peripheral control integrated circuits according to a control program and achieves a low-power consumption so as to improve convenience for a user. A CPU performs a control of the image processing apparatus. A control bus for address and data is controlled by the CPU. A memory is connected to the control bus so as to stored a control program of the processing unit. A reset IC initializes the CPU when a power is turned on. A peripheral control ASIC controls each part of the image forming apparatus in accordance with an instruction of the CPU. An exclusive control bus is connected to the peripheral control ASIC. An operation of the exclusive control bus is started according to an input from the reset IC so as to perform an initializing process of the peripheral control ASIC.

Abstract: Methods for altering configurations of printing devices are provided. A representative method includes: receiving information corresponding to an authorization of a user, the information including a designation of a first configuration of a printing device the user desires to enable; retrieving information adapted to enable the first configuration of the printing device; and enabling the printing device to exhibit the first configuration using the information retrieved. Systems, computer-readable media and other methods also are provided.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; process means actable on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; an electroconductive shaft member supporting the photosensitive drum and electrically connected with the photosensitive drum; a cartridge frame for rotatably supporting the photosensitive drum; a grounding contact member mounted on the cartridge frame, the grounding contact member including a sliding contact for sliding contact with the electroconductive shaft member and affixed contact contacted to an urging member provided in the main assembly of the image forming apparatus; a cartridge positioning member for positioning an axis of the photosensitive drum, wherein the cartridge positioning member is urged to a positioning portion of the main assembly of the image forming apparatus by the fixed contact being urged by the urging means when the process cartridge is mounted to to t